January 06, 2015
1-5
Solving Right
Triangles
To solve a right triangle means to
find the measures of the three
angles and the three side lengths.
Since it's a right triangle, which
of those 6 measures do we
already know?
Example 1
Example 2
Refer to the right triangle diagram and the given information to find
the indicated measure. Write your answers for angle measure in
decimal degrees.
Refer to the right triangle diagram and the given information to
solve the right triangle. Write your answers for angle measure in
decimal degrees.
α
α
b
c
a) Given β = 35°, c = 17 in., find b.
a) Given α = 65°, c = 37 ft.
b
c
β
a
β
α
b) Given α = 55°, c = 22 ft., find b.
a
b
c
β
a
Example 2
Angles of Elevation and Depression:
If the angle of depression from the top of the lighthouse
to the boat is 3 degrees, find the distance from the boat
to the shore.
Refer to the right triangle diagram and the given information to
solve the right triangle. Write your answers for angle measure in
decimal degrees.
α
b) Given α = 12.0°, b = 10.0 m.
b
c
25m
β
a